Climb aboard the Dresden Suspension Railway, or the “Schwebebahn” as it is known in German, and you are in for a real treat. See sweeping views of the River Elbe and of Dresden spread out below you as you ascend from the Loschwitz district to the higher Oberloschwitz district on this extremely unusual railway.
The suspension railway was built in 1901, making it the world’s oldest of its kind. Notice how the carriage hangs down from an overhead rail, hence the word “suspension.” Railways that work in exactly the same way as this one are very unusual, existing in only a few cities in the world. The Dresden system was designed by Eugen Langen, a Cologne-born engineer who would later go on to design Wuppertal’s impressive monorail.
Marvel at the way this incredible structure has stood the test of time. Although parts of the railway may be over a century old, it underwent a comprehensive restoration in the early 2000s and is now as good as new.
As your carriage climbs upwards, try to spot landmarks in the scenery below and around you. Look for distinctive buildings such as the beautiful Loschwitzer Kirche (Loschwitzer Church). Once you reach the upper station, take the panoramic elevator to the machine room and viewing platform to enjoy some of the finest views of Dresden from anywhere in the city.
Get to the Dresden Suspension Railway’s lower station by taking the DVB, Dresden’s public transportation system, from downtown. You might also want to choose to incorporate a trip on the railway into a long walk along the beautiful Elbe, as it is right next to the Körnerplatz station.
Note that as with all public transportation in Dresden, you will have to pay to use the Suspension Railway, and it is a little more expensive than some of the less novel transportation options. Remember to bring your camera, as there will be plenty of beautiful views during the journey for you to snap pictures of.
